2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the Southeast Region
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 180 schools to find the best return on investment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students.
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2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Coastal Pines Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,616. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $41,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $18,116. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #4. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Georgia Technical College earned it the #5 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,651. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $35,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Georgia Technical College earned the #6 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,497. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #7 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $46,451. That is a strong return on a $12,068 median debt.
Johnston Community College came in at #8 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College placed #9 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,949. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Wayne Community College earned the #10 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $5,500. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #11 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $40,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Spartanburg Community College placed #12 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #13 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Students borrow a median of $10,117 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. That is a strong return on a $10,117 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florence Darlington Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $7,230. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College landed the #16 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College placed #17 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $46,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Rockingham Community College came in at #19 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $50,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Shore Community College earned the #20 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #21 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,760 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Maysville Community And Technical College earn a median of $39,622 early in their careers. Set against $6,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manatee Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,726 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Manatee Technical College generally make around $45,926. Set against $9,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,715. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,629. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle placed #24 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Georgia Technical College earned the #25 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,279 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $34,133. That is a strong return on a $12,279 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 180 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 180 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
